A/C Thermostat Help

[ElPaso Pilot]

I have an energy saving suggestion that isn't thermostat related. Get a misting hose unit and a Magnavalve the same voltage as your AC fan outside. Wrap the misting hose so it mists over the coils. Wire the Magnavalve to the fan and supply pressure water. When the unit comes on the valve will open and mist the coil with water greatly increasing the efficiency and cooling ability.

Yea, that would work well for the first month or so, until the coils insulated themselves with a nice coat of whatever minerals are in the local water supply.

 

[Henning]

Yea, that would work well for the first month or so, until the coils insulated themselves with a nice coat of whatever minerals are in the local water supply.

If you have that hard of water yeah, but the scale is easy to clean. Most places you only need it a few months of the year.

 

[RV10flyer]

I have an energy saving suggestion that isn't thermostat related. Get a misting hose unit and a Magnavalve the same voltage as your AC fan outside. Wrap the misting hose so it mists over the coils. Wire the Magnavalve to the fan and supply pressure water. When the unit comes on the valve will open and mist the coil with water greatly increasing the efficiency and cooling ability.

Most of us have "air-cooled" condensers, not designed for water. If one wants more efficiency, buy a higher SEER air-source, geo-thermal or a cooling tower system like this...

http://www.ctssurplus.com/cart.php?...eatured_product&product_id=675&category_id=73

Better yet, get an hvac guy to clean both coils and check your three run capacitors. Check total current draw before and after and note difference. I do these PM's(Preventive Maintenances) all the time.

 

[Henning]

Most of us have "air-cooled" condensers, not designed for water. If one wants more efficiency, buy a higher SEER air-source, geo-thermal or a cooling tower system like this...

http://www.ctssurplus.com/cart.php?...eatured_product&product_id=675&category_id=73

Better yet, get an hvac guy to clean both coils and check your three run capacitors. Check total current draw before and after and note difference. I do these PM's(Preventive Maintenances) all the time.

They don't really get much water, it evaporates very quickly in the airflow and that evaporation cools the air flowing across the condenser. Ignore it I'd you like, my landlords love me for it because I cut their electric bills in half in Florida for about a $50 investment and a couple hours install time.

 

[ARFlyer]

RV10-

I got the tstat installed and working. I had to run a C wire from the furnace which ended up only costing about $1 in wire.

However, one small issue has surfaced. Whenever the the furnace is turned on the tstat says aux heat. The W wire is connected to W2, which is the aux heat pump on the tstat wiring diagram I can switch over the wire to W1 if that will clear the message. I don't think it's a big deal since I only have one heat source.

 

[Matthew]

I have an energy saving suggestion that isn't thermostat related. Get a misting hose unit and a Magnavalve the same voltage as your AC fan outside. Wrap the misting hose so it mists over the coils. Wire the Magnavalve to the fan and supply pressure water. When the unit comes on the valve will open and mist the coil with water greatly increasing the efficiency and cooling ability.

I gave that suggestion to a buddy of mine a couple years ago. He skipped the Magnavalve step and just uses the misting nozzles. Since his AC is probably undersized anyway, it runs nearly continuously in the hottest part of the year, so he just lets the mister run. He says he can tell the difference.

 

[RV10flyer]

RV10-

I got the tstat installed and working. I had to run a C wire from the furnace which ended up only costing about $1 in wire.

However, one small issue has surfaced. Whenever the the furnace is turned on the tstat says aux heat. The W wire is connected to W2, which is the aux heat pump on the tstat wiring diagram I can switch over the wire to W1 if that will clear the message. I don't think it's a big deal since I only have one heat source.

If you removed the little brass jumper, install the white wire on W1 then your 1st stage heat will be energized and aux(W2) indicator will not come on as long as the gas furnace satisfies the call for heat. With your Dad's hp, the compressor was the first stage of heat and cool and needed that jumper. Then his electric heat kit was energized with W2.

 

[jbarrass]

I have the Nest Thermostat at home and the office.

LOVE LOVE LOVE it.... especially when I can make an adjustment from my iPhone/iPad

I've got these and declare them the coolest thing ever......

Cut my electric bill in half.

 

[ARFlyer]

If you removed the little brass jumper, install the white wire on W1 then your 1st stage heat will be energized and aux(W2) indicator will not come on as long as the gas furnace satisfies the call for heat. With your Dad's hp, the compressor was the first stage of heat and cool and needed that jumper. Then his electric heat kit was energized with W2.

I will switch the wire over, in the morning, and see if that clears the message. Thanks for the help!

 

[RV10flyer]

I will switch the wire over, in the morning, and see if that clears the message. Thanks for the help!

Another thing...some thermostats will turn on 2nd stg heat if your setpoint is more than 2F above the room temp. Also some will turn your indoor blower on upon a call for heat instead of allowing the furnace fan control to bring it on when the heat exchanger is hot enough. Some tstats have install settings that affect this. I cannot say this tstat will help with your temp differences, but is much more accurate and nice to have setpoints automatically change for you throughout the day. Let us know how things work out.

 

[ARFlyer]

Another thing...some thermostats will turn on 2nd stg heat if your setpoint is more than 2F above the room temp. Also some will turn your indoor blower on upon a call for heat instead of allowing the furnace fan control to bring it on when the heat exchanger is hot enough. Some tstats have install settings that affect this. I cannot say this tstat will help with your temp differences, but is much more accurate and nice to have setpoints automatically change for you throughout the day. Let us know how things work out.

I noticed that when I was testing the heat. The indoor fan kicked on before the air was hot. I thought something was wrong at first.